We present a test for those in enduring partnerships who appreciate the horror genre: Settle in with your significant other and stream Together. This 2025 indie hit recently had its launch on a streaming platform on Hulu. On the surface, it may seem like typical physical horror, but inside Together resides a intense contemplation about the ways we decide to love each other.
An Introductory Film Exploring Relationship Dynamics
Together marks the first full-length movie for director Michael Shanks. It showcases actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Tim and Millie, an unmarried couple that have remained a couple for over ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, the actors contribute a special spark to their portrayals, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a committed partnership.
The narrative commences when Tim and Millie relocate from the metropolis to the countryside for Millie’s job. A familiar plot device, of course, but that’s mostly where the cliches conclude. Together becomes as much a deep dive into the psyche of the pair’s relationship as it is a movie featuring biological frights.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While trekking near their new home, a violent storm occurs, and Millie and Tim discover an underground cave. After being trapped overnight there and managing to escape, a supernatural entity begins influencing the couple. This force creates a otherworldly bond between them that goes well past emotional intimacy.
The entire film is a gradually intensifying horror experience, interspersing moments of fever-dream horrors, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) physical transformations, and genuinely funny exchanges (sometimes in the middle of something horrific). Michael Shanks orchestrates these parts neatly and delivers them in a slowly mounting sense of impending doom.
Nuanced Portrayals
A significant portion of Together is exclusively Brie and Franco, and they deftly portray manifold depths to the partnership at the film's core. Millie’s confidence and feeling of intimacy is suffering due to a lack of intimacy. Her unspoken irritation of Tim for his reluctance to chase only his floundering music career inexorably rises.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and separated by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve relocated rural and distant from his network of friends. He is terrified of the concept of completely losing his personal autonomy in his partner. This fear is amplified by the reality he can’t drive and is dependent on Millie for transportation.
Shanks’ smartest move in Together never makes one partner or the other the definite antagonist.
The couple confront the sort of issues that come with long-term unions a decade in. At their core, they have affection for one another. They find humor with each other, offer support, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an inescapable current of uncertainty about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the otherworldly presence in Together represent these fears of codependency and giving oneself over to another person, the metaphor avoids being overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a ideal counterpart to the interpersonal storytelling. Both the supernatural and the personal work together in harmony.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s conclusion, which remains unspoiled, has sparked debate on the story's concluding statement about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have interpreted the film as a powerful case for staying single. Conversely, certain partners who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could function as a great barometer of how you view relationships. Will the finale plant a sense of discomfort and fear, or a heartwarming sense of hope? Will you see yourself in one of the characters and scream at your TV, or simply glance toward your significant other and state, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an experiment you can experience today.
Together is available to watch on Hulu's platform now.
